StarionX

Brief description of the problem.
When ingine was cold, the starter would crank very slow, not enough to start the car. After getting a boost, car would start straight away (starter motor sounded normal).
If engine was warm, starter motor acted normally and I could crank the engine, but because I have fuel flooding problems, this could usually take 2-3 attempts. If it took more (4 or 5), then the starter motor would become very slow again and I would need a boost to start the car.

At first I thought the battery or the alternator were dying, but after testing the charging system, I got 14.1v, which is pretty good. After trying to start it a few times, got the dreaded 'slow starter motor' again.
I decided to check the battery connectors. They looked ok (a little worn, as they are the originals), so I decided to replace them with new ones. Connected the battery and tried to start the car. The starter motor sounded just fine, and I got the car started.

Bottom line - it was a 'faulty' connection between the old battery connectors and the battery.

I fixed it today, so the true test will come tomorrow when I try to start it cold.

Thanks to all the people (especially Hailers), who gave advice.

SureShot

The golden rule of battery connection:

Battery contact surfaces must be BRIGHT & SHINNY.
Dull gray looking posts or clamps give high resistance.
This is easy to find because the bad connection will get hot while cranking.

saltlakebay

I agree. I had a prob with my old 86. It wasnt really the connection to the battery, it was the negative cable to the terminal that was corroded.

chris_stampe

Isnt there some type of chemical that you can put on your battery terminals to keep them from curroding or getting that grey **** on them?

GlenL

My buddy has a bad connection between the wires and the terminal of the wire (bad crimp?). If his vehicle didn't crank, he would go and jiggle the cable until it did.

Here's something to help prevent corrosion:

http://golfercars.com/B004.htm

StarionX

I wish I would have looked at the connecters first, would have saved me 3 weeks of pain.